To My Mother

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother"

 | Abraham Lincoln |

When I came into this world- a (semi-pleasant) surprise and the first of her five biological creations- my mother had little reason or purpose for choosing to risk all and accept the challenge of raising a little human.

But she did just that: risked all and welcomed me into the world.

I cannot express in words my gratitude for that choice.

Since that moment my mother has continuously sacrificed a comfortable, easy life in exchange for one that required a lot of growth, suffering, and change.

During times in which she could have given up, could have said "never-mind", could have taken the easy way out, could have betrayed her divinely appointed paths... my mom persevered, challenged injustice, screamed "bring it on" to the heavens,  and followed her heart regardless of any resistance she faced.

My mother is the epitome of kindness and strength- never before have I met someone with such a fiery love pulsing through her veins- and I hope to one day be half the woman she presently is.

Thank you, Mom, for teaching me the importance of pursuing what I love and treating each and every person and experience in my life as a sacred gift from above.

Thank you for teaching me to love.

I love you.

Family Matters

Last year I graduated with my Bachelor's degree, and so many loving family members came to support me.

Although not everyone I care about was able to make it, this is a pretty good representation of the people who have changed my life for the better:

In fact, the entire graduation experience was very much a microcosm of my life.

Everyone arrived at different times, all bringing their own spirits into the mix. All representing, in their own way, a part of who I am- reflecting and resonating a communal love that brightened and magnified the light within each individual.

Alone, I am nothing. But with my family, I am everything.

I don't believe a stronger bond than the family exists.

Whether bonded by blood, choice, or experience, family is the most resilient unit life could create.

Divorce, addiction, hateful actions, poor choices, abuse, and much more seem to tear apart the very fabrics of this divinely appointed system and have definitely created deep divides within my own.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, we love fiercely and are fiercely loyal.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rarely have I seen a family that fits into the box of what society might label as functional, normal, or traditional.

But often have I seen familial love heal deep wounds, stitch up large gashes, and construct bridges where no one else dare build.

So, to my family:

I couldn't ask for a better team with which to experience the vicissitudes of life. Who I am today is the result of who you all have been and are becoming.

My life: the product of many risks you were willing to take and patterns you were willing to break.